Feet/toes going numb during cardio

Aellio290
Aellio290 Posts: 33 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise

I have noticed that my feet especially my toes go numb during cardio.

Normally on elliptical/treadmill.

Is it just bad circulation? Bad shoes? Should I be concerned?

Thanks!!

Replies

  • chunky_pinup
    chunky_pinup Posts: 758 Member
    shoes could be too tight, but you could also need to have your gait evaluated to see if you're stepping correctly, or if your feet are placed in the right spot on the machine (if elliptical). Can you have a trainer at your gym evaluate your movement if loosening your shoelaces doesn't help?
  • Aellio290
    Aellio290 Posts: 33 Member
    chunky_pinup wrote: »
    shoes could be too tight, but you could also need to have your gait evaluated to see if you're stepping correctly, or if your feet are placed in the right spot on the machine (if elliptical). Can you have a trainer at your gym evaluate your movement if loosening your shoelaces doesn't help?


    I don't think my shoes are too tight, I slide them on and off without untying them so I feel like they are pretty average/loose.

    I guess I could ask a trainer at the gym, but I would feel silly them watching me do the elliptical in slow motion to watch my positioning. :D
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    That's a really common complaint on the elliptical. Like the above poster said, looser shoes and l also found that occasionally lifting my heel or entire foot off the pedal helped.
  • gramarye
    gramarye Posts: 586 Member
    This happens to me when I tie my shoes too tightly. It's habit to string them up as firmly as I can, and it abated when I started loosening them up a bit.
  • emdeesea
    emdeesea Posts: 1,823 Member
    I used to have this problem and I determined mine was a pinched nerve in my back. It went away after a while using anti-inflammatories. I haven't had this issue in a long time but then I don't really ever use the elliptical machine anymore either.

    I was also told that putting constant pressure on the ball of your foot can cause this and it helps to go backward for a while every so often to take that pressure off.
  • lithezebra
    lithezebra Posts: 3,670 Member
    This happens to me on the elliptical trainer at my gym. Now I use the rowing machine and the bikes, or go hiking.
  • Aellio290
    Aellio290 Posts: 33 Member
    emdeesea wrote: »
    I used to have this problem and I determined mine was a pinched nerve in my back. It went away after a while using anti-inflammatories. I haven't had this issue in a long time but then I don't really ever use the elliptical machine anymore either.

    I was also told that putting constant pressure on the ball of your foot can cause this and it helps to go backward for a while every so often to take that pressure off.


    I do have a lot of back problems/back injuries in the past so maybe that is causing some of it.

    I also like to go backwards on the elliptical because it feels cool, so maybe I'll try that next time they go numb. :)
  • bathmatt12345
    bathmatt12345 Posts: 145 Member
    I get this on the elliptical often. Every 10 minutes get off and do 30 seconds of jumping jacks or burpies or anything to change your position and give your feet more variance.
  • Aellio290
    Aellio290 Posts: 33 Member
    lithezebra wrote: »
    This happens to me on the elliptical trainer at my gym. Now I use the rowing machine and the bikes, or go hiking.


    I LOVE hiking. I try to go as much as I can when the weather is nice but cold and rainy force me to go to the gym.
  • LouLouStBijou
    LouLouStBijou Posts: 987 Member
    This happens to me as well, I would be curious to know if there are others. I just bought brand news Asics and it didn't help the problem at all so I don't think it is my shoes.
  • RespectTheKitty
    RespectTheKitty Posts: 1,667 Member
    Happens to me too. I've been told it's due to the constant pressure on the toes from the motion of the elliptical. Going backwards or lifting your foot up off the pedals every few minutes helps me.
  • Aellio290
    Aellio290 Posts: 33 Member
    RespectTheKitty wrote: »
    Happens to me too. I've been told it's due to the constant pressure on the toes from the motion of the elliptical. Going backwards or lifting your foot up off the pedals every few minutes helps me.

    Perfect! I'll try this!
  • makelemonade14
    makelemonade14 Posts: 46 Member
    I had poorly fitting shoes, even though they were new. Once I bought xwide shoes, used a loop in the top lace hole, and loosened my shoes a bit, the numbness went away. There was also a period of adjustment my feet had to go through once starting 5 day/wk workouts.
  • Ws2016
    Ws2016 Posts: 432 Member
    I just switch it up and pedal backwards for awhile. Keeps my heel down and thempressure off my toes.
  • Wicked_Seraph
    Wicked_Seraph Posts: 388 Member
    I have the same problem! Like others have suggested, I find that going backwards for a little while is quite helpful :)
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